Economic Conditions and Public Support for Fair Climate Policies in Europe

By Xiyan CHEN, Maria-Doriana GHEORGHE, Marianna PYKA, Cosimo SCOCCIANTI, and Tugay ÜNLÜ

Xiyan Chen, Maria-Doriana Gheorghe, Marianna Pyka, Cosimo Scoccianti and Tugay Ünlü — a team of Sciences Po students — participated in the first EIB Climate Survey Hackathon, where they examined how economic hardship shapes public attitudes toward climate action. Their project, Economic Conditions and Public Support for Fair Climate Policies in Europe, investigates whether inflation, inequality and job insecurity weaken support for climate measures or instead shift attention toward issues of fairness. Using EIB Climate Survey data and Eurostat indicators, the team finds that perceived fairness is a stronger predictor of support than economic pressure, with most Europeans favouring policies that place the burden on major emitters while protecting vulnerable households.